Anti-government protesters in Ukraine on Sunday (December 22) continued to camp out on Kiev's Independence Square, known locally as Maidan, one month after demonstrations against Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich first began.
Although numbers have begun to fall, many still remained on the square braving cold temperatures and expressing their defiance against the Ukrainian government's decision to move away from a trade and association agreement with the European Union in favour of closer ties with Russia.
Ukraine's embattled President Yanukovich gave a live television address on Thursday (December 19) where he explained the reasons for signing a deal With Russian President Vladimir Putin who agreed to a 15 billion dollar aid package and cheaper gas supplies from Russia.
Despite being buffeted by the protests, Yanukovich still appears firmly in command. His allies control parliament and the security forces remain loyal.